VOLUME XIV

I stole the time of fourteen months,To build walls tall enough that even the men from space could seeBut still sometimes, on a highway drivesLike the dry dead leaves caught between your boot seamsIt gets to me,Memories of the times, before I even met Sydney﻿Then we all try to remember,To remind ourselves not to do the opposite of breathingI took my shovel and I went out into the woodsAnd I buried myself holding all our old recordsAnd I put metal to my foot,And I pushed into the dirt,And I’ve lasted harsher winters than you﻿

2. Science

In a life filled zeros and other numbersI did it for scienceI feel this photograph between my broken fingersBut I don’t see an image clearMy body responds like a boxer windedAnd through these broken fingers we hold nothing clearIf I ever make it to France,I’d stay up all night and forget my jet lagWell I am more than my job﻿

3. Dead Men's Gardens

In the court of public opinionYou always have to be wary of who the jury isAnd who are you?And who are you seeking the approval of?Broken men tend to take care of other dead men’s gardensAnd what does that mean?What does that mean to you?I hope my name leaves a bad taste in your mouth﻿

4. Collapsed Lungs

It’s sad like hearing the songs of a revolution that went all wrongOver the loud speakers at your local Wal-MartAnd that’s darkAnd it’s sad that the 21st century,Well you know it makes sense to meAnd after thirteen dry months,Someone decided that it should rainAnd after thirteen months someone decidedAnd I left cigarette butts and collapsed lungsIn the wake of my stay,Does art define the man?And if it does, then I need to get away from my penBeing an artist means you don’t get a lifeYou only get the right to write the moments﻿

5. Songs & Paintings

I know it’s silly but I would like to see my songs turn into paintingsBecause you could then surround yourself and decide if it was rightTo black out your eyes one summer nightNow does it feel right?I’ve learned and I’ve lost bad habits since that dayAnd my new passion I know that you’d hang your head in shameI’ve been stealing spare change from wishing wells From people who were wishing that they could just forget your name

6. Last Names

You’re either blessed or your cursed with the D.N.A. of the last name you were givenThe mathematical equation of frustration it’s always changingLike shaking a can of paint our faces changed to the shape of our D.N.A.You’ve been avoiding the nuances of the reality that you neededInstead jumping into the insurmountable amount of information you knew you never neededAnd you know wherever you are, there’s another highway, That’s begging for another no named faceFor heels to scrape against the paint of pavementsAnother highway with a numbered nameAnd I’ve been conscious of the new decisions that I decide to makeConscious that they don’t become a mistake

7. A Crosswalk Ending

It should be poetic that this story arc begins and ends with a crosswalkI turned and I walked away from youNow if we were to meet someday in the futureI wouldn’t talk; I’d fix you a plateAnd we’d sit silent knowing that we both made some mistakesAnd the fate of conclusions can go so many different waysAnd after all this pain, I don’t have any answersMy limbs repair and my legs are beginning to stand straightI’m learning to stand straight﻿

8. Rainbow Connection

Why are there so many songs about rainbowsand what's on the other side?Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,and rainbows have nothing to hide.So we've been told and some choose to believe it.I know they're wrong, wait and see.Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.The lovers, the dreamers and me.Who said that every wish would be heardand answered when wished on the morning star?Somebody thought of that and someone believed it.Look what it's done so far.What's so amazing that keeps us star gazingand what do we think we might see?Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.The lovers, the dreamers and me.All of us under its spell. We know that it's probably magic.Have you been half asleep and have you heard voices?I've heard them calling my name.Is this the sweet sound that called the young sailors.The voice might be one and the same.I've heard it too many times to ignore it.Is it something that I'm supposed to be?Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.The lovers, the dreamers and me.